I hope that you are well, and coping with all of the changes as well as you can. For me, and I suspect many people in the community, the entire episode is actually quite scary. Please, wash your hands, practice physical distancing, and if you don't need to go out, stay inside.
Personally, I have stopped watching every news report - it doesn't do anything for me. I have focused where I can make a difference: this means my family, friends, and Shaarei Shomayim.
I have missed going to Shul very deeply - not just the davening and programs, but also miss my friends and my not-yet-friends. You may also be experiencing stress (parents/kids/jobs/health). I can share that during the times of my leukemia and transplant, it was the community that made a difference - the individual kindnesses and tangible help that came from so many. In our COVID-19 world, I am proud to see the same thing: we're all in this together.
Many are reaching out, and asking, "what are we doing about XXX?". "What's the plan?" In my decades of experience as a CEO, there has never been this degree of change, at such a fast rate, ever. There is a famous quote that pretty much encapsulates this feeling: "There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen." (Read on to find out who said this.)
Over the last 2-3 weeks, much of my time has been devoted to making decision after decision as we are pivoting Shaarei Shomayim, literally on a dime, to take into account our new reality. Our priorities have been driven both by the important and the urgent. The first week it was medical that was driving our decisions. Then it was programming and the transition to online, then operational changes, then Budget & Finance, and it continues with more. I am very proud to be working with so many leader-volunteers (and clergy and staff) who care so deeply about Shaarei Shomayim. It almost seems that the last two years were preparation for what we are now addressing, in a strategic, thoughtful manner. Here's a flavour:
- Moving programming to Zoom. (And for many, learning how to use Zoom, for the first time ever.)
- Innovative programming and services (eg Kabbalat Shabbat and Havdalah, Nightly Tehillim, Coffee with the Rabbi, and watch for more).
- Serving the ongoing pastoral needs of the congregation.
- Setting up a work-from-home environment and processes for all of our office staff
- Communications with and between all of our committees, board, staff, clergy, and volunteers
- Security considerations
- Budget and Financial (both practical questions and planning issues.)
- Reviewing and creating new (and relevant) sponsorship opportunities
- A new initiative to ensure that people who cannot put food on their table this Pesach are able to do so.
- Ongoing calls and emails to recognize those with upcoming Yahrzeits
- Coordination with cemeteries and funeral homes across the city on policy and process.
- A team of volunteers who are reaching out to every one of members. Over 500 calls so far!
- Discussions/coordination with other shul leadership, locally and across North America
- Discussions/coordination with other rabbinical leadership.
- Ensuring that the shul's governance and nomination process continues.
- And much, much more.
Of course, nothing is the same, but really, everything is - just the "way" we do things may be different. Here's an example: we had already completed most of the Pesach Bulletin. As a result of COVID-19, we made a number of editorial changes to it, and next week it will be ready for printing. Except, that we will not be printing - it will be emailed to everyone so you can print it at home. (If you require a printed copy and you cannot print at home let the office know and they will print a copy for you and mail it.)
No one can properly predict what the future will hold, but Shaarei Shomayim has 90 years of history, a present-day community of dedicated members, and a future where we are better together because of it. And we are so fortunate that we have so many people moving us forward, thinking both at the practical and the strategic level.
At this point, Linda and I (and our daughter Sabrina, who lives with us) are not going outside, except for walks. One of the most meaningful lifelines for us is the programming that the shul now beams directly into our home. I've never said Tehillim every day, but now tune in to Rabbi Strauchler's Tehillim and Divrei Torah most evenings. And it was very inspiring to sing along with Rabbi Shore and Chazzan Freund on our big-screen TV during last Friday night's Kabbalat Shabbat. Ditto for big-screen Zoom Havdalah after Shabbat. I encourage you to try these and all of the other programs.
Finally,
To the volunteers who have spent so much time over the last few weeks, and continue to do so.
To the clergy, who care deeply for each of us, and have been also working double-time.
To our office staff, who are working so hard on our behalf... all from their homes.
To those I used to say Kaddish with, morning and night.
To the doctors, nurses, PSW's, cashiers, clerks, delivery drivers, and everyone on the front lines.
To all of the older parents, grandparents (and everyone, actually) who are doing their part by staying safe inside. And washing their hands.
To the moms and dads who are now adding "teacher" to their resumes.
To the team of callers who are reaching out to our members on the phone.
To our kids who are growing up a bit faster than they expected, but still put a smile on our faces.
To all the non-computer folks who tried Zoom for the first time, and are unlocking the beauty of the Torah together.
To those neighbours we never really knew, who we now greet (at a distance) with a big smile.
To all of those who are re-thinking how we can make this year's "different" seder a meaningful one.
To all of our friends, who are reaching out, just because.
And to the candy men and women, who have an inventory of candy that they can't wait to give out.
Thank you.
We live in a beautiful community, and I wish you a healthy, safe, and meaningful Shabbat. I hope this update was helpful.
Regards,
Randall Craig
President, Shaarei Shomayim
Email: President@Shomayim.org
Mobile: 416-918-5384
PS: A few links for you to consider:
How to wash your hands - very enlightening video on washing your hands: (>18M views)
https://twitter.com/i/status/1240686550939136003
The strategy of controlling pandemics, and why it is so important to "hunker down" (>5M views)
https://medium.com/@tomaspueyo/coronavirus-the-hammer-and-the-dance-be9337092b56
Our online program of great classes, programs, and services for all ages, as well as other updates:
https://www.shomayim.org
Quote from above:
There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen.
Vladimir Lenin
